Harrisburg cops used mace to control 'uncooperative and aggressive' crowd while making arrest

Harrisburg police used mace to control a crowd they saw was "becoming uncooperative and aggressive" while they were arresting a woman early Sunday outside a bar.

Paola Flores-Gonzalez submitted

Police said they were trying to speak to a man at Second and Pine Streets in an unrelated investigation when a woman, identified as Paola Flores-Gonzalez, 18, interfered.

Police said she positioned herself between the man and officers, and began yelling at police "in an aggressive manner."

After she ignored orders to get out of the way and was being physically moved, police said she punched an officer in the center of his chest and tried to flee.

"As officers attempted to take control of her she became violent and created a danger to officers as they were attempting to investigate another matter," police said.

A large crowd gathered as police were trying to arrest her "that was becoming uncooperative and aggressive," police said.

As officers handcuffed her, the crowd moved toward police, and that's when they deployed mace to keep the crowd back.

Capt. Gabriel Olivera estimated there were about 20 people in the crowd, and said none had to be treated for exposure to the mace. "The officers were concerned for their safety," he said.

Flores-Gonzalez, of Philadelphia, was charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement, simple assault, obstructing administration of law or other government function, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. She was released after posting $99,000 bail.